Carlos Tamez wrote two letters a few years ago, to be delivered to his children in the event of his death while on active duty in Iraq.

The Black Hawk helicopter pilot from Weslaco poured his soul into his words, offering love and the best advice he could muster to his two young children, just in case they had to grow up without their father, he said.

Fortunately, the letters never had to be delivered. Tamez came home safely from the Middle East in 2009 to rejoin his wife Patty and two children, Celeste Ariana, 14, and Carlos Aaron, 9.

“I came home with two Bronze Stars and they belong to my kids,” said Tamez, a U.S. Army Reserve helicopter pilot who flew countless missions transporting dead and wounded soldiers out of combat zones during four tours of duty.

It’s the Tamez children and many others like them who will be honored by 4-H on April 13 for the sacrifices they make while their parents serve their country abroad, according to Luis Saldana, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service program specialist for 4-H and youth development at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco.

4-H is asking all Texans to wear purple on that day as a sign of solidarity and support, he said.

“This is a Texas initiative called Purple Up for Military Kids,” Saldana said. “It’s a partnership among the United States Army, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the 4-H and youth development.”

Why purple?

“Purple is the color that results from mixing the traditional colors of all the armed services in this country, including the green of the Army, the red of the Marines, the orange of the Coast Guard and the blue of the Navy and Air Force,” Saldana said.

“We’re asking everybody to wear purple next week, on Friday the 13th, to honor and recognize the sacrifice and contributions that children of deployed personnel make — children who are oftentimes overlooked by the public.”

When he first went to war in 2003, Tamez’s son was only 10 months old.

“When I came back on leave 10 months later, he didn’t recognize me,” Tamez said. “So, I wrote death letters to him and my daughter. I explained why I wouldn’t be there for all the important events in their lives — sporting events, proms, graduation, their weddings.”

It was a heartbreaking task that Tamez said still gets to him when he thinks about it.

“I suddenly realized that I wouldn’t be able to teach them how to tie their shoes, how to shoot their first buck, all those things kids learn from their dad. In my letter to my son I tried to explain to him how to be a gentleman. It was just so……”

His words trailed off momentarily.

“My absence was very tough on my kids,” Tamez continued. “Every generation of Americans is called upon to protect their country, and it was just my turn. But the real heroes are those who didn’t make it home. They and their families are the heroes.”

Tamez’s daughter is an eighth-grader at B. Garza Middle School in Weslaco. At the urging of her brother, she became a member of the Queen City 4-H in Mercedes and promptly displayed her talents in raising goats. On March 2 she was honored as Reserve Champion Showman 2012 at the South Texas Ag Roundup (STAR) in Edinburg.

“Of course, I’ll be wearing purple on April 13,” she said. “This program definitely brings back memories of my father not being here and the pride I have for what he did to serve his country.”

With her dad safely home, Celeste offered a bit of advice for other children of deployed parents or guardians.

“Be strong,” she said. “Be strong because their parents are being strong for everybody else.”

Texas 4-H needs your help in supporting and promoting the Purple Up! effort in your counties.  Below is a link to an article that is about a specific 4-H family in Weslaco, however, I am confident that this can be written about many other families across District 12.  If you have not looked at your membership, I think you would be surprised at the number of 4-H members that have a parent in the military.  There are 52 families across the district in 12 counties that have a parent serving in the  Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard as either Active Duty, National Guard, or Reserves.  They are there and we need your help in promoting this small gesture of thanks and appreciation.  Also, don’t stop at your 4-H members, get county officials, and other community groups to do this as well.  4-H is urging ALL TEXANS to wear purple!

http://agrilife.org/today/2012/04/04/4-h-urges-texans-to-wear-purple-on-friday-the-13th-2/

Update #1:  The District 12 4-H Postal League packets were mailed to coaches ten days ago.  If you have not received your packet, please contact your county Extension agent.  All scores must be posted or turned in by April 10^th.  All details are in the packets and on the D12 4-H website.

Update #2:  The District 12 4-H Shooting Sports Match in Benavides date has changed.  The match will be held on April 21-22, 2012 at the Duval Shooting Complex in Benavides.  Contact your county Extension agent for more information or visit the D12 4-H website.

Update #3:  The District 12 4-H Shooting Sports program has plans to host a Shotgun Match on May 12, 2012 in Laredo.  Planning is ongoing.  Look for more information about this event coming soon.

Please share this notice with any/all 4-H families that may be involved or have interest in any of the information provided above.  If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your county Extension agent.  Good luck and happy shooting.

Texas 4-H Congress is a premiere leadership program that is co-planned and co-implemented by the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Office and the Texas 4-H Council.  The Texas 4-H Council, which consists of elected delegates from each district within the state will assume many of the leadership responsibilities.  To learn more and apply to attend this important biennial event, click here => Texas 4-H Congress.

In the meantime, the State 4-H Office is asking any 4-H program that may be using Eley Sport .22 caliber rimfire ammunition (especially ammunition from the lot numbers listed above) to cease use of that ammunition until further information is available from the manufacturer. It is further recommended to cease use of other Eley ammunition if similar incidents have occurred within a program and to take seriously any type of ammunition malfunction and not to disregard it as merely a single incident. Keep track of ammunition and firearm malfunctions to be able to recognize a pattern and head off any greater potential mishaps. In regards to other brands of ammunition used, it may be advisable to contact the manufacturer of your ammunition to inquire about any recalls or issues with that specific ammunition in use by a 4-H program. This type of contact may also be advisable to the manufacturer of rifles used in a 4-H program to determine the same.

Please do not hesitate to contact the 4-H Natural Resources Office if questions or concerns arise at 979-845-1214. As it is with you, the safety of our 4-H’ers and adult leaders across the state is paramount in the 4-H Shooting Sports program. This is no small incident and as such is taken very seriously.

Thank you for your assistance in disseminating this alert.

• Learn what the dog project is all about
• Learn how to start training your dog
• Learn about rally, agility, and other fun parts of the dog project
• Spend a day with your dog, family, and make new friends along the way

The day-long event will include a variety of sessions for 4-H members and their dogs.  Here is a list of the sessions that will be provided:

• Obedience
• Veterinary Care
• Rally Obedience
• Agility
• Showmanship
• Conformation
• Dog Careers
• Equipment

The cost is $35 per participant (includes dog) or $20 to come watch and learn (no dog).  Fees cover program, facility and meal costs for all participants.  Check it out…I think you’ll really enjoy this new opportunity.

Many counties are having 4-H club and County 4-H Council meetings in May, and it is important to get the candidates’ information to the membership across the district for their review and discussion.  The candidates’ resumes and photos will be posted on the District 12 4-H website soon, and will be available for county delegations to review.  Counties are also asked to submit their list of voting delegates and alternates so that candidates can contact delegates directly.

As a reminder, candidates are required to forward any letters, flyers, or mass communication pieces to the District Office for approval in advance of distribution.  In addition, candidates wishing to “campaign” at any district event may do so with prior approval, including any materials that may be distributed at these events.

President
Donny Guerra – Jim Wells County

1st Vice President
Murray Grimshaw – Atascosa County
Onelisa Garza – Hidalgo County
Benjamin Gonzalez – Kleberg-Kenedy County

Delegate at Large
David Saldana – Hidalgo County

2nd Vice President
Hailey Kinsel – La Salle County

Secretary
Rebecca Goad – Cameron County
Briana Saenz – Jim Wells County

Treasurer
Ruben Saldana Jr. – Hidalgo County
Tara Liska – Live Oak County
Hayley Meyer – Kleberg-Kenedy County

Public Relations
Kayli Ricks – Hidalgo County

Parliamentarian
Kayla Wilkins – Atascosa County
Reagan Ashley – Cameron County
Shelby James – Live Oak County

Youth Advisor
Mark Elbert – Cameron County
Kassandra Guerra – Jim Wells County
Jacy Johnson – Live Oak County

Health & Safety Officer
Clarissa Olivarez – Hidalgo County
Anissa Valverde – Jim Wells County
Hunter Meyer – Kleberg-Kenedy County